Project Center Director

Seattle University; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Seattle University, a leading Jesuit university in Seattle, seeks a Project Center Director to oversee the College of Science and Engineering Project Center. You will manage staff, recruit projects, and build industry and community partnerships to expand real-world learning opportunities for students.

You will work with faculty and external sponsors on contract management, marketing, events, and program administration, ensuring successful project outcomes and alignment with university goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of successful technical sales or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in project recruitment, contract management, and sponsor relations is preferred.
• Strong marketing, events planning, and stakeholder communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead recruitment and business development for student projects and sponsor relationships.
• Oversee contract management, IP agreements, fees, and deliverables.
• Plan and execute Projects Day, fall workshops, and other events with marketing materials.
• Coordinate cross-functional collaboration with faculty, staff, and external partners.

Skills

Project management

Business development

Contract management

Marketing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Months Per Year:

12

Work Model:

Hybrid Work Eligible

Seattle University will be one of the most innovative and progressive Jesuit and Catholic universities in the world, educating with excellence at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. We embrace an intersectional framework for defining diversity in its broadest sense, including differences in gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, generational history, culture, socioeconomic class, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship status, political perspectives, geographic origin and physical ability. Seattle University strives to be a welcome, open and safe campus climate for all who learn, live and work at Seattle University.

Seattle University's Core Competencies

• Effective Team Collaboration: Works harmoniously with others towards a common goal, leveraging individual strengths to achieve shared objectives.
• Emotionally Intelligent Communication: Engages in a skillful exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings, verbally and non-verbally.
• Ethics and Integrity: Demonstrates an unwavering commitment to honesty, professionalism, and alignment with our Jesuit mission in all actions and decisions.
• Flexibility and Innovation: Embraces change, approaching problems with curiosity adaptability, and is committed to making a positive impact.
• Mindful Inclusion: Fosters mindful inclusion by consciously creating a workplace that celebrates differences, embraces cultural humility, and empowers uniqueness.
• Outcomes-Driven Orientation: Sets clear objectives, pursues excellence, and delivers measurable outcomes while upholding Jesuit Catholic values.

Job Description Summary

Seattle University has an exciting, dynamic opportunity for a Project Center Director to join our community.

The Project Center Director provides leadership and oversight for the College of Science and Engineering Project Center. The Director manages Project Center staff and operations and leads efforts in project recruitment, industry and community outreach, marketing, contract management, event planning, and program administration. The Director works closely with faculty to support the development and delivery of sponsored student projects. The Director also cultivates and maintains external relationships with companies, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, alumni, and other external partners to recruit project sponsors and expand opportunities for students to engage in meaningful, real-world projects.

Major responsibilities include project recruitment, contract management, marketing, events planning, and project management, contract management. Internal engagement with college leaderships, faculty, support staff and students is also required.

Position Description:

Essential Job Functions

Project Recruitment/Business Development:

Research potential leads; participate in business development networking activities; create lead lists; develop relationships; develop project concepts collaboratively with sponsor liaisons and SU faculty. Work with college leadership, and the development officer to identify strategic external relationship goals for projects and beyond.

Contract Management and Sponsor Relations:

Work collaboratively with sponsor liaisons and SU faculty to identify and refine project scopes. Hands-on management of all contractual materials affiliated with projects to include intellectual property agreements, sponsor fees, master agreements, and deliverables.

Marketing Management:

Work creatively to maximize marketing opportunities for program involvement. Appeal to internal audience of students and faculty for program functions, administration and morale. Also engage alumni and potential sponsors to generate interest, attendance, and involvement in program events and ultimately projects. Coordinate all marketing materials for Project Center, including photography and copy for brochures, Projects Day program, website, and social media outlets.

Events Planning:

Supervise and execute fall workshops, joint sessions, and the annual Projects Day program. Projects Day planning includes administrative support to students and guidance regarding final deliverables, printed materials, final presentations, and Projects Day conference. Oversee administrative staff in events planning support of these functions.

Program Management:

Work closely with department faculty to identify key areas of interest and needs for Project Center. Create and administer all program feedback and surveys for faculty, students, and sponsors. Work with college leadership, students, and department coordinators to address issues and facilitate interactions with the sponsors. Oversee administrative staff on execution of administrative duties to include student relations and budgets affiliated with projects.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and five years of successful technical sales or an equivalent combination of educatio